What's the meaning of prima facie case?

Asked by: Noemie Little  |  Last update: September 6, 2025
Score: 4.5/5 (37 votes)

A prima facie case is a cause of action or defense that is sufficiently established by a party's evidence to justify a verdict in his or her favor, provided such evidence is not rebutted by the other party.

What is a prima facie case in simple terms?

A prima facie case is one in which pre-trial evidence is reviewed by a judge and determined sufficient to warrant the trial. Prima facie cases are typically civil cases, where the burden of proof is on the plaintiff.

What does prima facie mean in Canadian law?

Related Content. A Latin term meaning "at first sight" or "at first look." This refers to the standard of proof under which the party with the burden of proof need only present enough evidence to create a rebuttable presumption that the matter asserted is true.

What does it mean to make out a prima facie case?

In order to establish a prima facie case, a prosecutor need only offer credible evidence in support of each element of a crime. By contrast, a prosecutor must prove defendant's guilt as to each element beyond a reasonable doubt to win a conviction.

What is another word for prima facie?

Prima facie literally means “at first sight,” but it can also mean self-evident or obvious. If it's prima facie, it appears to be true. You've most likely used the expression at first sight, but now you can say it in Latin.

🔵 Prima Facie Meaning - Prima Facie Examples Prima Facie Definition Legal English Latin Prima Facie

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How do you use prima facie case in a sentence?

Examples of prima facie in a Sentence

Adjective a prima facie case of tax fraud There is strong prima facie evidence that she committed perjury.

What does prima mean?

Prima is a girl's name of Latin origin meaning “first.” It's also believed to have roots in Ancient Greece, where first-born daughters were often given the name thanks to its meaning. Prima can be associated with qualities such as leadership, innovation, and excellence, inspiring baby to aim for the top.

What happens after a prima facie case?

Receiving a prima facie determination does not mean that your application is approved. A prima facie determination simply means that your case seems strong enough to move on to the next steps. This can provide temporary benefits and relief to the applicant while USCIS makes a final decision on your immigration status.

What are the four elements that an employee must establish to establish a prima facie case of age discrimination based on disparate treatment

To establish a prima facie case of discrimination based on disparate treatment a plaintiff must show that he (1) is a member of a protected class, (2) suffered an adverse employment action, (3) met his employer's legitimate expectations at the time of the adverse employment action, and (4) was treated differently from ...

What happens in prima facie?

The play is about a barrister, Tessa, who specialises in defending men accused of sexual assault, and whose view of the legal system changes after she is sexually assaulted herself. Themes include how witnesses in sexual assault cases are required to provide crystal-clear evidence for a conviction to be secured.

What is the benefit of prima facie?

The Purpose of Prima Facie Determination

It indicates that, at face value, your application appears to contain sufficient evidence to support your claims of abuse and eligibility under VAWA. It's akin to a pre-approval in other legal processes, like securing a mortgage.

Why is a prima facie case important?

If the judge agrees that there appears to be evidence meriting a trial, the court date is then set. If there is not sufficient evidence to merit a trial, the judge may decide to dismiss the case. Prima facie cases are important for protecting the rights of defendants and checking the actions of police and prosecutors.

What comes after prima facie?

If the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) finds prima facie eligibility in you as a self-petitioner, a notice is issued. The decision is solely at their discretion. If no prima facie case is established initially, officers may issue a Request For Evidence (RFE).

How do you win a prima facie case?

Effectively proving a prima facie case for habeas corpus relief requires a petitioner to present facts that, if assumed to be true by the court, would entitle them to relief. Thus, in many ways, a prima facie case for habeas corpus relief depends on the nature of the claim being brought.

What is an example of a prima facie duty?

Prima Facie Duties

Common examples include the duty to tell the truth, obey the law, protect people from harm, and keep one's promises. For social workers this would mean that we should not lie to clients about the circumstances in their lives or falsify records about them.

Who has the burden of proof in a civil case?

Instead, as California Civil Jury Instruction 200 explains: “A party must persuade you [the jury], by the evidence presented in court, that what he or she is required to prove is more likely to be true than not true. This is referred to as “the burden of proof.”

What are the requirements for a prima facie case?

A prima facie case is the establishment of a legally required rebuttable presumption. A prima facie case is a cause of action or defense that is sufficiently established by a party's evidence to justify a verdict in his or her favor, provided such evidence is not rebutted by the other party.

What is an example of a prima facie case of discrimination?

Establishing a prima facie case of discrimination

The worker is a member of a protected class. The worker had all of the qualifications for the job. The employer rejected the worker despite his or her qualifications. The employer then continued looking for applicants who have the worker's qualifications.

What elements are required for a prima facie case?

Generally, not all cases are considered prima facie cases. A case successfully qualifies as a prima facie case if it possesses the four essential elements: duty, breach, causation, and damages.

How long does a prima facie case take?

Within four to six months, you'll receive a prima facie determination notice. “Prima facie” is a Latin term meaning “at first glance.” This notice indicates that, based on the initial review, your case appears to meet the basic requirements for VAWA approval. However, this does not guarantee final approval.

What is the risk prima facie?

The risk prima facie passes with ownership. It states that risk of the goods has to be bear by sellers before the transfer of ownership.

What does prima facie literally mean?

Prima facie (/ˌpraɪmə ˈfeɪʃi, -ʃə, -ʃiiː/; from Latin prīmā faciē) is a Latin expression meaning "at first sight", or "based on first impression".

What does facie mean?

: at first view : on the first appearance.

What does prima stand for?

For four decades, the Public Risk Management Association (PRIMA) has been the one-stop resource for education and training, risk resources and networking opportunities for public sector risk managers.

What does all prima mean?

Alla prima is an Italian phrase that means 'at first attempt'. It refers to a wet-on-wet approach whereby wet paint is applied to previous layers of still-wet paint, often in a single sitting. Over the years, the technique has been adopted and adapted by artists from Van Gogh to Velázquez.